Metinvest Group’s Central Mining and Processing Plant (CMP, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro region) has modernized its pellet production equipment.
According to the company’s press release, the pelletizing plant has completed a major overhaul of the OK-324 roasting machine.
It is specified that the pelletizing plant’s process equipment operates continuously, around the clock, for more than 7.5 thousand hours a year, so its technical condition is of high priority. The repairs were carried out as part of the pellet production process optimization program.
“One of the key areas was the restoration of the refractory masonry of the roasting machine’s furnace and the repair of six nozzles. This is crucial for maintaining the thermal insulation of the roasting machine’s furnace space and will help avoid the destruction of the brickwork and ensure continuous operation during the overhaul period,” explained Andrey Ivanov, Deputy Head of the pelletizing plant at the Central Enrichment Plant.
Reportedly, an experimental solution was also implemented during the repair to apply shotcrete to the surface of the No. 9 and No. 10 tanks. This can significantly increase the resistance of refractory insulation by reducing the impact of biofuels. Additionally, the drip traps of smoke exhausters D2 and D5 were repaired, and three sections of drip trap No. 2 of smoke exhausters D2 were completely replaced. This will help reduce emissions and improve the gas dynamics of the heat flow.
The installed shaft rotation of the D3 smoke exhauster will reduce the equipment’s operating time during the plant shutdown for scheduled repairs, help reduce energy consumption, and increase equipment reliability. In addition, the conveyor transport was maintained, including the replacement of rollers, seals, and lining of the reloading units.
Central GOK is one of the five largest producers of mining raw materials in Ukraine. The company specializes in the extraction and production of iron ore concentrate and pellets.
CGOK is a part of Metinvest Group, whose major shareholders are System Capital Management (SCM, Donetsk) (71.24%) and Smart Holding Group (23.76%).
Metinvest Group’s management company is Metinvest Holding LLC.
In 2023, Sukha Balka Mine (Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro region), a part of Aleksandr Yaroslavsky’s DCH Group, reduced its net profit by 2.7 times compared to 2022, to UAH 114.837 million from UAH 487.878 million.
According to the agenda of the company’s general meeting of shareholders, which will be held remotely on April 18 and end on April 30 this year, the shareholders intend to approve the reports and allocate the net profit for 2023 to replenish working capital.
In addition, the shareholders intend to amend the charter and other internal documents, in particular, to cancel a number of provisions, as well as to terminate the powers of the current members of the Supervisory Board and elect new ones. To liquidate the audit committee as a management body, to consider the report of the audit entity (independent auditor) and to approve measures based on the results of its consideration.
It is also planned to approve significant transactions, in particular, agreements on the provision of repayable financial assistance concluded between the mine and Development Construction Machinery Holding LLC in 2023-2024 for a total amount of UAH 1.150 billion excluding VAT.
As reported, in 2022, Sukha Balka PrJSC reduced its net profit by 2.7 times compared to 2021 – to UAH 487.878 million from UAH 1 billion 326.460 million.
It was also reported that by the decision of the extraordinary meeting of shareholders of Sukha Balka PJSC on July 10, 2023, UAH 1 billion 4.865 million from retained earnings for 2008, 2010 and 2011 was allocated for dividends.
Sukha Balka mine is one of the leading mining companies in Ukraine. It produces iron ore by underground mining. It includes Yubileynaya and Frunze mines. Frunze mine.
DCH Group acquired the mine from Evraz Group in May 2017.
According to the third quarter of 2023, Yaroslavsky, who is designated as a non-resident of Ukraine (British citizen – IF-U), directly owns 77.4193% of the mine’s shares, while resident individual Artem Aleksandrov owns 20%.
The authorized capital of Sukha Balka PrJSC is UAH 41.869 million, with a share par value of UAH 0.05.
Number of unemployed in Ukraine and job opportunities, 2023-2024
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
Czech railroad operator RegioJet has made its first flight on the Prague-Chop route. The night train from Prague with 120 passengers arrived at the Chop station on schedule at 10:35 Kyiv time, the press service of the railway operator reported on Thursday.
As reported, starting March 27, RegioJet is launching a second line to Ukraine via Slovakia to Chop in addition to the existing one via Poland’s Przemysl. The flight has three cars with 140 seats, which follow the Prague-Kosice train. Ticket prices range from EUR18.9 to EUR67.9 including meals.
The night train Prague – Chop departs from Prague (Czech Republic) at 21:52, from Košice (Slovakia) at 06:38 in the morning and arrives in Chop at 10:35. In the opposite direction, departure from Chop is at 17:35, from Kosice at 21:37, arriving in Prague at 05:46 the next day.
JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” launches a special connecting train No. 345/346 Chernivtsi – Chop – Uzhhorod, which will connect with the new international route Prague – Chop.
The connecting train No. 346 Chernivtsi – Chop – Uzhhorod will depart from Chernivtsi daily at 05:30, go through Ivano-Frankivsk (08:13-08:27), Stryi (11:20-11:50), Mukachevo (15:13-15:18), Chop (16:28-16:57), and arrive in Uzhhorod at 17:20. In the opposite direction, departure from Uzhhorod is at 11:05, followed by Chop (11:28-12:03), Mukachevo (13:00-13:10), Stryi (16:15-16:40), Ivano-Frankivsk (19:22-19:27), arriving in Chernivtsi at 21:32.
Train stops are provided at the stations Batyovo, Karpaty, Svalyava, Volovets, Slavske, Skole, Morshyn, Bolekhiv, Dolyna, Rozhnyativ, Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia.
In 2024, Gas TSO of Ukraine LLC (GTSOU) plans to invest UAH 812.923 million in the development of the gas transmission system through depreciation charges.
This is stated in the resolution of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) on the approval of the GTSOU’s GTS Development Plan for 2024-2033, approved at a meeting on Wednesday.
“The main directions of the Gas Transmission System Development Plan for the first year (investment program for 2024) of the 10-year development plan are financing for: compressor stations – UAH 431,768 thousand (excluding VAT), gas distribution stations – UAH 60,226 thousand, gas pipelines – UAH 53,037 thousand,” the regulator said in its justification for the approved document.
In 2024, GTSOU also plans to spend UAH 85,996 thousand on the implementation and development of information technologies, UAH 63,200 thousand on the purchase of diagnostic and inspection devices and other devices, UAH 53,017 thousand on the modernization and purchase of vehicles, special machines and mechanisms, UAH 48,240 thousand on the purchase of production equipment, and UAH 17,439 thousand on industrial buildings and design and survey works.
The overall 10-year plan for the development of Ukraine’s GTS provides for a total funding of UAH 43.756 billion.
DTEK Energy Holding, through its EU-focused subsidiary DRI, has signed an agreement with Polish company Columbus Energy to build a 133 MW energy storage system in southern Poland.
“On March 27, DRI signed a definitive binding share purchase agreement with Polish company Columbus Energy, which will give it the right to build a 133 MW battery storage facility in southern Poland, subject to permits,” DTEK said in a release on its website on Wednesday.
DTEK notes that this is the largest energy storage system (ESS) project in Poland, and the agreement is its first major infrastructure investment in the country and a key element in the company’s plan to create a pan-European energy system uniting Ukraine and the EU. DTEK’s goal is to create a 5 GW portfolio of renewable energy projects in Europe by 2030 through DRI.
The acquisition of the 133 MW SPP project makes DTEK Group one of the first companies to develop this technology on a large scale in Poland, the release said.
DRI expects to close the deal with Columbus in the coming months and start construction of the facility in Q4 2024 to complete it and put it into operation in early 2026. The project is committed to providing energy capacity to the Polish market for 17 years (from 2027).
“Today’s signing marks an exciting moment in Europe’s quest to move beyond fossil fuels. This project will not only provide vital flexibility on Poland’s path to a renewable future, but will also be an important achievement for Central and Eastern Europe in demonstrating how battery storage can be successfully developed. DTEK’s investments in the country are a crucial step towards the integration of the energy systems of Ukraine and Poland,” said Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK Group, as quoted in the release.
According to Krzysztof Kokhanowski, Vice President of the Board and CEO of PIME, the largest association in the energy storage industry in Poland, it is gratifying to see international energy players like DTEK investing in the Polish battery market through its EU subsidiary.
“Poland is one of the leaders in the European Union in the production of batteries and battery cells, and in the next 5 years it will be one of the leaders in the construction of energy storage facilities based on battery technology. The construction of this new facility will certainly contribute to our country’s efforts,” he said.
According to the release, Poland currently uses 30 GW of coal and natural gas-fired power to balance its energy system, which is increasingly using renewable energy sources and shifting from centralized to distributed generation. The batteries will help to ensure the grid’s performance and provide the power system with a reliable mechanism for balancing the unstable nature of renewable energy.
As reported, DTEK Group implemented a 1 MW pilot project in Enerhodar in 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is now under occupation. In early 2024, DRI launched its first projects in Europe: in Romania, the 60 MW Ruginoasa wind farm and the 53 MW Glodeni solar power plant. It also intends to develop renewable energy in Romania, Italy, and Croatia.
